Budget crisis looming yet again, impact on military could be severe

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va (WVEC)-- The clock is ticking, and next Friday is the deadline.

If there is a government shutdown, or, if Congress simply passes another continuing resolution, the impact on the military will be severe.

Retired rear admiral Craig Quigley is concerned.

"You're going to have severe adverse affects on aviation maintenance, ship maintenance, training, flight hours, steaming hours," he said. " If you don't have the money to pay for that you can't do it."

Three members of the Hampton Roads congressional delegation, appearing before the Navy League, painted varying portraits of what may happen.

"I'm optimistic that we're not going to do a C.R., because that would be bad," said Rep. Scott Taylor (R-Va., 2nd District). "I think we can and we should get the 2017 appropriations and move it forward in an omnibus. That's what I'm hopeful for, that's what I'm pushing for."

"I think the likelihood tor an absolute shutdown, the chances of that are remote," said Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va., 3rd District). What will unfortunately happen is a Continuing Resolution, which is temporary spending. But the problem with temporary spending is you can't do any long-term planning."

The last time there was a budget crisis that resulted in an outright government shutdown was in October, 2013. But even without one this time, the Navy has warned that under continuing resolution funding levels, it would have to cut flight hours and shut down some non deployed air wings, which would have ripple effects, leaders said, for years.